Pkg-Static 100% CPU

I was wondering, what's pkg-static and why did it max out my pfSense to 100%? It caused me to have 100% packet loss, thankfully nobody was on. I assume it's to update packages, but why did it trigger itself automatically? I haven't touched that pfSense in days.

The package data is updated when you load the dashboard for an update check, if you have the dashboard packages widget installed, if you check for updates under System > Update, or load System > Package Manager.

I have not seen it use 100% CPU for a prolonged period of time, however, and certainly have not seen it cause packet loss.

I’m having the exact same issue on a Netgate SG-3100. I’ve been using it for 2 months without issues. Two days ago I tried to view available packages and it never loaded the list. Soon after I noticed very high CPU usage while my gigabit connection was idling. top -aSH shows pkg-static update at 100% on CPU1 (two cpu unit, so usage is about 70%)

I’ve tried killing it, but it comes right back. Restarting does nothing. It kicks back up within seconds of booting.

How can I stop it or reinstall it? It’s an ARM box, and my only access to terminal is through pfsense GUI. Would appreciate any help. The box is running at > 86 degree C now.

Sounds like to me, this puppy just fires up on all cylinders and doesn't care whether you have an Atom or Xeon. Can u schedule this thing in the middle of the night?

Am Linux newbie but it seems to me this should be no different than Windows/OSX/Nest Thermostat, I want to manually update my stuff so I know what is known-to-be-good. God knows no greatest&latest updates are bug-free. YMMV.